Being a Scholar in the Digital Era: Transforming Scholarly Practice for the Public Good

Description

What opportunities do digital technologies present? How do developments in digital media support scholarship and teaching yet further social justice? Written by two experts in the field, this accessible book is the first to look at scholarly practice in the digital era and consider how it can connect academics, journalists and activists in ways that foster transformation on issues of social justice. The terra firma of scholarly practice is changing. This book offers both a road map and a vision of what being a scholar can be when reimagined in the digital era to enliven the public good, as it discusses digital innovations in higher education as well as reflecting upon what these mean in an age of austerity. It is ideal for students and academics working in any field of humanities or social sciences with a social justice focus.

Jessie Daniels is Professor at Hunter College and The Graduate Center (CUNY). She is an internationally recognized expert in digital sociology and on the Internet manifestations of racism. Daniels is the author of two books about race and various forms of media. Daniels conceived of JustPublics@365, an initiative intended to reimagine scholarly communication in the digital era for the public good. She is co-founder and editor for the scholarly blog, RacismReview (www.racismreview.com), which she has maintained since 2007. Forbes Magazine named her one of "20 Inspiring Women to Follow on Twitter." You can find her on Twitter: @JessieNYC. Polly Thistlethwaite is Professor and Chief Librarian at The Graduate Center, City University of New York (CUNY) where she has worked since 2002. Prior to this, she worked at Colorado State University, Hunter College, New York University, Yale, and the University of Illinois. Polly introduced an institutional repository to CUNY for scholars to self-archive their work to make it accessible to readers around the world. Her partnership with the JustPublics@365 project that promotes scholarship for the public good constitutes an inevitable alliance of confluent missions and sensibilities.

"An incisive and engaging rallying cry for digital scholarship to be seen as our most powerful tool, as well as a practical handbook for aspiring activist scholars. I can't recommend it highly enough." Mark Carrigan, University of Warwick "This is an excellent book that offers a concise and well-written description of how digital technology has been used to produce robust and genuinely impactful research." LSE Review of Books "A fascinating insight into the relationships between academic publishers and universities, academics and grassroots communities, and academics and journalists. It highlights workable synergies for social justice activists in the academy, and will be of interest to people working with NGOs, academics and activists... For a glimpse at the future of scholarship, look no further." Research Matters (The Social Research Association magazine), March 2019 "A timely account of how scholarly practice is changing and make a compelling case for how scholars and librarians can use digital technologies to engage in issues of social justice, beginning with a more open and inclusive system of scholarly communication." Lisa Norberg, Co-founder of the Open Access Network "An important introduction to the possibilities offered by digital media for academic work and activism, both within and outside the halls of academia." Deborah Lupton, University of Canberra, Australia "A stunningly accessible and provocative volume that offers readers a delicious landscape for reimagining how, with whom and for whom we craft research in these 'revolting times.'" Michelle Fine, The Graduate Center, CUNY, USA